USL D1 - Aug 13 - Vancouver v Virginia Beach [R]

[DJT]

Final:

Vancouver 3Virginia Beach 0

10' VAN Lyall

65' VAN Alberts

72' VAN Gjertsen

Vancouver have scored three goals in three consecutive matches, but this was their biggest margin of victory since June. But it wasn't as easy as it looks — according to the commentators, Virginia Beach should have had a PK at 1-0, and they were still in it up until the second goal before appearing to tire, this being their third match in four days, not to mention that they were missing a few players who couldn't cross the border. After drawing Montreal twice last weekend, this was a terrible western trip for Virginia Beach: lost 1-0 at Portland, which was Portland's first win in 12 games; lost 5-1 at Seattle; lost 3-0 at Vancouver.

Vancouver Whitecaps match report:

WHITECAPS WIN 3-0

August 13, 2006 - Vancouver Whitecaps 3

Virginia Beach Mariners 0

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, BC (attendance: 5,380)

Overview

The Whitecaps stormed past the Virginia Beach Mariners 3-0 to win their third game in a row, and jump back into second place in the USL First Division standings. Striker Joey Gjertsen was in on all three goals, scoring once and assisting on the other two. Defender Geordie Lyall scored the winner just 10 minutes in, while Tony Caig made three saves on eight shots for his sixth shutout on the year.

The out of town scoreboard was in Vancouver's favour on Sunday, with Rochester and Charleston losing, allowing the Caps to leapfrog both into second place. Vancouver's record is now 10-5-8 for 38 points, one up on Rochester. Virginia Beach drop to 7-8-8 for 29 points.

The Whitecaps next game is in Seattle on Saturday, August 19 against the Sounders. They return home to play the Minnesota Thunder on Saturday, August 26 at Swangard Stadium.

Scoring Summary

10' Vancouver Geordie Lyall (Joey Gjertsen)

Jay Alberts on the right played in a good low ball which Gjertsen redirected in front to Lyall, and his header went in off the underside of the crossbar for his first goal of the season.

65' Vancouver Jay Alberts (Joey Gjertsen)

Eduardo Sebrango in the box heeled it to Martin Nash breaking on the left, and he cut it back to Gjertsen. His shot was blocked by sprawling Mariners defender Alan Woods, but it looped up for Albert to head in from seven yards. It was the midfielder's third goal this year.

72' Vancouver Joey Gjertsen (Tony Donatelli)

Jay Alberts on the right dropped it for Donatelli, and his first-time cross was smashed into the goal by Gjertsen for his ninth of the season, and fourth in three games.

Game Notes

Striker Eduardo Sebrango got his first start of the season, and made his presence felt early. At 5' he flicked a pass from Martin Nash at goal from eight yards, but put it right at the keeper, at 24' he headed over from good position, and at 31' sent a weak shot on the turn right at the keeper.

Jay Alberts was named UMBRO Whitecaps Player of the Game. He scored once but could have had two, as at 34' a Joey Gjertsen cross ran through to him to the right of goal, but Alberts blasted it just wide of the left post.

Goalkeeper Tony Caig had to work for the shutout. He did well to hold a scorching 25-yard volley from McColm Cephas at 16', was well positioned to stop a long blast from Pato Aguilera at 40', and produced a brilliant one-handed diving save on a header from John Barry Nusum at 77'.

Joey Gjertsen has four goals and two assists in his last three games. He now has nine goals and six assists on the year to stand third in the league in scoring and first overall in assists.

Geordie Lyall's goal was his first since July, 2002.

Alfredo Valente subbed in for his first action since coming off injured in a June 9 home game against Miami.

Martin Nash has played in 59 consecutive games for Vancouver spanning three seasons. This is the third longest ironman streak in team history, and the longest since Domenic Mobilio established the record of 68 back in 1992.

Virginia Beach were without their top two scorers, as striker Greg Simmonds was unable to travel to Vancouver, while midfielder Jakob Fenger is injured.

In out-of-town action Sunday, the Charleston Battery were upset on the road 2-0 by Miami FC, while the Rochester Raging Rhinos were upset on the road 1-0 by the Minnesota Thunder.

Vancouver Whitecaps: 1.Tony Caig - 4.Adrian Cann, 12.Geordie Lyall (20.Dave Morris 45’), 22.John Jones, 33.Ryan Suarez (25.Anthony Noreiga 75’) - 2.Jeff Clarke (14.Tony Donatelli 45’), 3.Steve Klein, 6.Jay Alberts, 7.Martin Nash (9.Alfredo Valente 69’) - 17.Joey Gjertsen (16.Gary Brooks 73’), 18.Eduardo Sebrango

Virginia Beach Mariners: 1.Matt Nelson - 2.Steve Danbusky, 3.Craig Demmin (4.Kupono Low 45’), 22.Alan Woods - 7.Jeff Bilyk (17.Tim O’Neill 52’), 10.Pato Aguilera (8.Leepaul Scroggins 75’), 12.Ryan Mack (5.Russell Hutchison 45’), 20.Steve Shak, 25.Felix Brillant (14.Shane McFaul 76’) - 15.McColm Cephas, 24. John Nusum

Shots: Vancouver 13 Virginia Beach 8

Saves: Vancouver 3 Virginia Beach 5

Fouls: Vancouver 9 Virginia Beach 11

Offsides: Vancouver 3 Virginia Beach 8

Corners: Vancouver 3 Virginia Beach 5

Referee: Tiger Liu

Cautions

Vancouver: none

Virginia Beach: Bilyk 1’

[bettermirror]

brilliant road trip gents. looks as though the caps just may have added some steel for a playoff push this season! dare i dream of an all-can.... not just yet!

[Richard]

An All-Can USL D1 final would be a cool follow-on to the All-Can W-League final!

[RJB]

I agree that VB should have had a penalty. The 'Caps were quite lucky.

I was extremely impressed with the pace of the game. Both teams were playing quick, with good passing.

What let both sides down was the finishing, which I would rate as quite poor (despite the fact the 'Caps managed 3).

I would say that that was the best game I've seen all year.